Virgin Atlantic Airways RFID Pilot Study..it might just work!

Transcription

1 Virgin Atlantic Airways RFID Pilot Study.it might just work!

2 The next 20 minutes Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd quick overview RFID and Virgin Atlantic Pilot study overview What do we expect to achieve? Findings so far. What next?

3 Virgin Atlantic Airways Started in 1984 with one aircraft. Currently fleet of 33 aircraft: Boeing 747 s Airbus A s & 600 s. Fly long-haul to USA, Asia, Africa and Australia. Hangar facilities at Heathrow. Central Logistics store serving global satellite stores

4 RFID and Virgin Atlantic VAA have got involved in RFID for a number of reasons: Industry drivers Major manufacturers and suppliers are developing RFID capability RFID becoming more widely used reducing risk Operate in a hugely competitive market need to find efficiencies Opportunity recently implemented Engineering Management System Opportunity slip stream Airbus/Boeing Business expansion costs control

5 Virgin Atlantic and RFID What are the expected benefits of using RFID technologies? Process efficiencies Data capture;data accuracy Improved turn around performance of components through stores. Increased visibility of parts and materials within the maintenance environment More accurate inventory control at the point of entry to the aircraft stores Consequential benefits process control In addition to these benefits, the wider benefits include: Greater ability to comply with expected guidelines from EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) concerning traceability and authenticity of aircraft components Integration with the RFID specifications proposed by Boeing and Airbus for use within the aircraft supply chain

6 Where do we start? How do we implement this technology? What processes need to be changed? What level of integration is required? Is there a business case? Does the technology work? What are other businesses doing?

7 A pilot study seemed the obvious choice because. Lots of unanswered questions Opportunity to get real practical experience of technology Low risk Concerns over system integration Opportunity to build a realistic business case, based on actual results NOT expecting quantified benefits from the pilot

8 Introducing our partners Oracle and TATA Consultancy Services Why these suppliers? Existing relationships Experience Proven technology Oracle is providing: Middleware to capture and process the data, enterprise database to manage the data, TCS are providing: Consulting and system integration expertise

9 The Pilot Study The high level scope of the pilot is: To RFID tag all rotable parts within the Heathrow warehouse To integrate with Ultramain process To provide automated tag printing to work in line with existing Goods inwards process The objectives of the pilot are: To demonstrate the potential savings of using RFID tags To improve the visibility of critical parts To provide clear measurement of the impact of the pilot To improve the service provided by the warehouse To test the technology

10 The Pilot Study - architecture Presentation Layer Handheld Applications Inspection/ Binning/ Storage/ Dispatch Area Applications Commissioning Applications Thin Client Thin/ Thick Client Middle Layer KPI Measurement & Analysis Application Edge Application Reader Server Data Hub Interface Application Ultramain Interface Application Printer Interface Application Edge Server Data Storage Layer Data Hub Ultramain Printronix

11 Pilot Environment Quarantine Back Office Wireless network First Stage Inspection Bins Printer Binning Area Handheld RFID Label Component Repair Section / Dispatch Preload / Bulk Deferred Defect Back Office Location Barcode Bulk Racking

12 Hardware used in Pilot Study Printronix SL-9000 r RFID printer AWID RFID Reader module EPC Class 1 Gen 2 compatible XML Printing enabled Symbol MC 9000G Handheld reader Rugged, durable and very user friendly EPC Class 1 Gen 2 Ready (operating at Mhz)* Windows Mobile 2003 supports both RFID and bar codes. Symbol Wireless LAN Infrastructure Wireless Switch WS 2000 Wireless Access Port AP 300 with external antennas

13 Pilot required four levels of integration Ultramain (Existing Enterprise MRO Software) Automatic generation of RFID encoded labels when transactions were created. Synchronization of data from Ultramain with Data Hub for accurate KPI measurements. Printronix printer (including PXML integration and remote setup and control) Application which interfaced with printer and handheld to allow users to print RFID encoded labels on-the-fly. Application allows administrator to remotely manage printer and get regular status updates. RFID and bar code integration in Symbol handheld Application allows users to use both RFID and bar codes. Oracle Fusion Middleware Integration of application with Oracle Edge Server, and Oracle Sensor Data Hub (10g Database)

14 KPI measurement Each stage of process is measured Average times Data accuracy compare Ultramain with data hub Identify supply blockages Identify fast track items Item life cycle

15 What do we expect to achieve? Proof that technology works Detail on integration requirements Peripheral technology requirements Process changes required Business case Evidence of efficiency gains Evidence of process improvements To be prepared for industry advances in particular working with VAA s part suppliers

16 What next? The pilot will run until Feb06 Gathering KPI data and reviewing Determining business case Reviewing technology advancements Two key factors: Industry Standards Data and technology Suppliers who will take up RFID?

17 . it might just work!